Veda Narayana Perumal Temple, Kodikulam – History
Thungavanam Kshetram:
In the
14th century AD, it is believed that this temple slid into ruins
under the reign of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I and was later renovated by
Sundara Pandyan, a Chieftain. Inscriptions at the Thiru Mohur Divya Desam refer
to this place as Thungavanam Kshetram on the banks of Brahmma Theertham.
Pillai Lokacharyar attained Salvation here:
There
was a saint managing the Srirangam temple named Nampillai praised by the
Vaishnava world as Lokacharyar. He had a devout disciple Vallal Vadakku Thiru
Veedhi Pillai who was blessed with a male child in 1205 in Aipasi
(October-November) on Tiruvonam star day. He named his child as Pillai
Lokacharyar in remembrance of his Guru. The child grew in learning and was
devoted to the service of the Lord.
During
the Muslim Invasion of Srirangam, Muslims targeted the Srirangam Ranganatha
Swamy Temple. Pillai Lokacharyar was 118 then. Despite his
age, he wanted to save the procession deity Azhagia Manavalan. He covered the
sanctum sanctorum of the presiding deity by a wall, installed some idols there
and carried the real procession deities in a covered palanquin and moved
towards south with his disciples. He came to Kodikulam enduring untold
sufferings. He worshipped Lord Vedanarayana, hid Azhagia Manavalar and
performed pujas.
The
invaders came to this place too. Lokacharyar took the Perumal and reached the
top of the hill. When he came down holding the plants and trees for support,
he fell down. Even at such a critical time, Lokacharyar held Perumal
closely on his chest to avoid any injury to him and fell down with his back to
the ground. He was seriously injured. He lived just three days then and
attained salvation on Jeshta Suddha Dwadasi in the month of Aani
(June-July). Small creatures as flies and ants that had his touch also
attained salvation.
His
disciples used the garlands and the vastras on Lord for his funeral and buried
him there itself. They stayed there for a month and completed the rituals
as per rules. They returned to Srirangam after 48 years with the
procession deity. Later, a separate shrine was built for Pillai Lokacharyar
in Kodikulam. On Tiruvonam star days, being the birth of the saint,
special pujas are performed in the shrine.
